CONFIDENTIAL
4. But we trade on their terms.
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Contracts could be cut overnight if the political circumstances changed. As you say, "friendship to the Chinese is a diplomatic instrument, not an emotional commitment. Thus in dealing with the Chinese (perhaps even more than with the Russians) we need to remain aware of what is basically an adversary relationship and of the possibility of sudden, and unpleasant, reversals. We should therefore reduce where we can the risks inherent in long-term practical and commercial commitments while pursuing the long-term political aim of seeking to lock the Chinese into the international economic and political system on our terms (rather as Dr Kissinger tried to spin a web of mutual interests around the Russians). I do not suggest that either will be easy.
5. The Secretary of State might conclude by commissioning a further despatch on what Chinese "modernisation" would mean in practice - for China and for the rest of us - if it went ahead as Deng would wish. What sort of timescale are we dealing with?
24 January 1979
CONFIDENTIAL
Que Brauts
RQ Braithwaite Planning Staff